Common causes of coughing up blood

The most common reasons for coughing up blood are:

  • a prolonged, severe cough
  • a chest infection this is more likely if your sputum is discoloured or contains pus, you have a fever, or you have a tight feeling in yourchest
  • bronchiectasis this is more likely ifyou're also wheezy or short of breath

Sometimesa severe nosebleed or bleeding from the mouth or throat can cause blood to come out in your saliva when you cough.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018